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Berlin (AP) - Bundesliga basketball team Alba Berlin has lost its last Euroleague game of the year.

Without their head coach Aito Garcia Reneses, who had the corona virus, the Berliners were defeated in their own hall in front of empty stands to the Lithuanian series champion Zalgiris Kaunas 71:74 (37:31).

For Alba it was the tenth bust in the 16th game.

The best thrower from Berlin was Simone Fontecchio with 14 points.

Assistant coach Israel Gonzalez took over the post of head coach for Aito.

The Spaniard had to do without the injured Peyton Siva, Ben Lammers and Marcus Eriksson.

From the beginning it developed into a very tough game in which both lines of defense dominated.

There were only a few baskets to be seen in the first quarter (14:12).

Also in the second section there was a fight for every ball.

But the Berliners increased the intensity on the defensive and thus came more ball wins.

With a 10-0 run they were able to break away to 25:17 for the first time.

Now things went better offensively.

Towards the end of this quarter, the lead was even double-digit (33:23).

But Zalgiris fought his way back before the break.

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After the change of sides, the game got more pace and the Lithuanians were now much more accurate.

Alba, on the other hand, now missed too many throws and it was increasingly rare to stop the guests' attacks.

And so the German champions fell behind again.

But the hosts fought their way back to one point 4.7 seconds before the end (71:72).

But of all people, the ex-Berlin Marius Grigonis then made the Berlin home bankruptcy perfect with two free throws.

Euroleague table

ALBA Berlin squad